Parachute

A carbonated soft drink in which quinine is dissolved, giving an intensly bitter flavor. Originally, tonic was used to fight malaria as the quinine was shown to be effective. However, modern tonic has much less quinine and is really only used for its bitter flavor; please take your malaria pills (and vaccinate your kids).

A port made from white grapes that make a great base for cocktails, but can also be drunk chilled on their own. These ports range from dry to sweet.

A French white wine based quinquina infused with wild gentian root from the Auvergne region’s heights, along wih many other plants, then aged in French oak barrels; 16% ABV.

The most common fruit juice used in cocktails. This citrus juice is about 6% acid; pure citric acid. Lemon juice should be used the day it is squeezed, some like it freshly squeezed and others like it a few hours old.

A syrup made from dissolving granulated sugar (sucrose) in water. Regular simple is made by combining 1:1 sugar:water by mass, rich simple is 2:1 sugar:water by mass although only 1.5 times as sweet as regular. We always use 1:1 syrup unless otherwise noted in the recipe itself.

A gentian-base aromatic bitters similar to Angostura but with a lighter body, sweeter taste and more floral aroma. A common component of the Sazerac.

A hybrid citrus fruit originating in Barbados as an accidental cross between two introduced species, sweet orange and pomelo. Like other citrus fruits the grapefruit is popular among cocktails for its peel and juice.